The Lore of Wormwood
In the forgotten corners of the witch’s garden, where moonlight lingers and the air hums with unseen energy, grows a plant veiled in mystery — silvery, bitter, and powerfully enchanting. This is Wormwood, the ancient ally of seers, herbalists, and boundary-crossers.
With its soft gray-green leaves and strong, otherworldly scent, wormwood is not a plant for the faint of heart. It is a plant of deep magic, liminal spaces, and witches who walk between worlds. Let us step softly into its spell…
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) has been known since ancient times. Named after Artemis, the goddess of the moon and wilderness, it has long been used in rites of death, vision, and protection.
In folklore, wormwood was burned to call forth spirits or ward off evil, planted to protect the home, and brewed into potent elixirs — most famously, the emerald-hued absinthe beloved by artists and mystics alike. Shakespeare even referenced its bitterness in Romeo and Juliet — a reminder of its power and bite.
Magical Properties of Wormwood
1. Spirit Communication & Ancestral Work
Wormwood opens the veil. It thins the boundaries between this world and the spirit realm, making it a key herb for mediumship, necromancy, and ancestor veneration.
Spell Tip:
Burn dried wormwood on charcoal during Samhain or under a waning moon to invite messages from the other side. Pair it with mugwort for deeper vision.
2. Protection Against Darkness
Despite its ghostly nature, wormwood is a protector. In old folklore, it was used to banish evil spirits, curses, and unwelcome energies. It’s especially useful for spiritual house cleansings and warding spells.
Witch’s Tip:
Place wormwood at your doorway or windows to ward off hexes or unwanted energies. Hang a small bundle over your front door to create a protective threshold.
3. Divination & Psychic Sight
Wormwood is a plant of sight and shadow. It enhances psychic ability, prophetic dreaming, and deep introspection — but always demands respect.
Ritual Idea:
Burn a small amount of wormwood before using tarot, pendulums, or scrying mirrors. Its scent creates an atmosphere of otherworldly clarity.
4. Shadow Work & Transformation
Wormwood invites you to walk through the shadows of the self — not with fear, but with courage and curiosity. It is ideal for rituals of release, rebirth, and emotional cleansing.
Use in Practice:
Add a few leaves to a black candle spell or write your fears and limiting beliefs on paper, surround it with wormwood, and burn it safely under the dark moon.
Magical Correspondences of Wormwood
Element: Fire & Air
Deities: Artemis, Hecate, Persephone, Morrigan
Zodiac: Scorpio, Sagittarius
Chakra: Third Eye
Energy: Banishment, vision, spirit work, protection
⚠️ A Note on Safety
Wormwood is not recommended for internal use. The herb contains thujone, which can be toxic in high doses. Always handle with care. Not safe for pregnant or nursing individuals.
Burn in a well-ventilated area, and avoid excessive inhalation. Its spirit is powerful — and it prefers to work with witches who respect its edge.
Wormwood’s Whisper to the Witch…
“Come, wild one — walk with me where dreams blur and bones remember. I will show you the spaces between, the truths hidden in shadow, the stars behind your eyes. With me, you will not fear the dark. You will understand it.”
Let wormwood guide your hand when the moon is dark and your spirit seeks truth. Plant her on the edge of your garden or altar, and she will stand watch — a fierce guardian and a wise companion.
Final Thoughts...
